Back to school means time to tailgate. "As the college football season starts, what better way to spend an autumn afternoon?" author Dave Hollingsworth asks. "We attended 18 games in 14 consecutive weekends last year, plus the national championship game." Hollingsworth, who, with Steve Waite, wrote Rivalry Saturday: An Odyssey Inside College Football's Most Storied Games (Pediment, $27.95). Here, he shares with USA TODAY's Shawn Sell tailgate spots for pre- and postgame festivities.

University of Mississippi Oxford

"On Game Day, the Grove, a shaded 11-acre park in the middle of the Ole Miss campus, is filled with medieval-style tents as many tailgaters hire students or locals to set up as early as 6 a.m.," Hollingsworth says. "There's a formal atmosphere here in attire, plus fine china, crystal and candelabras line the tables under the tents." Top 2005 tailgate game: Ole Miss vs. LSU, Nov. 19. 662-915-7211; olemiss.edu

University of Wisconsin Madison

"Beer and brats are Wisconsin staples, and brats soaked in beer are preferred," Hollingsworth advises. "Arrive early for breakfast at Mickie's Dairy Bar, a block or so from Camp Randall Stadium, then stay after the game for the 5th Quarter, the legendary irreverent postgame party with students, fans, football players and the Wisconsin band." Top 2005 tailgate game: Wisconsin vs. Michigan, Sept. 24. 608-263-2400; wisc.edu

Rose Bowl StadiumPasadena, Calif.

"Set against the beautiful San Gabriel Mountains, this stadium is home to UCLA's Bruins," Hollingsworth says. "Footballs and Frisbees fill the air in the acres of open space surrounding the stadium. Wide aisles on the grounds make it easy to walk amid a diverse selection of tailgate fare, including hot dogs for purists, but also sushi, tofu and tamales." Top 2005 tailgate game: UCLA vs. Oklahoma, Sept. 17. 626-577-3100; rosebowlstadium.com

University of Georgia Athens

"The rule on tailgating here: There are no rules, so plop your canopy down, set up your lawn chairs, fire up the grill and party," Hollingsworth says. "On game day, tailgates spring up in front of dorms, in parking lots and along walkways, and everything is decked in red and black." Top 2005 tailgate game: Georgia vs. Auburn, Nov. 12. 706-542-3000; uga.edu

The Landing Jacksonville

"The bash leading up to the University of Florida vs. the University of Georgia game is billed as The World's Biggest Cocktail Party," Hollingsworth says, "with the epicenter located at The Landing, a commercial complex on the St. Johns River. From here, take a water taxi to Alltel Stadium, where tailgaters squeeze into every nook and cranny for blocks." Top 2005 tailgate game: Florida vs. Georgia, Oct. 29. 352-392-3261; ufl.edu

U.S. Army

At West Point: Not unexpectedly, everyone is in formation at the cadet parade.

United States Military Academy West Point, N.Y.

"Tradition and sports intertwine at West Point, where the Academy overlooks the Hudson River," Hollingsworth says. "The full-dress cadet parade is a must before kickoff, and the Long Gray Line performs precision drills and patriotic music in full dress on The Plain. Tailgating at Buffalo Soldier Field is serious, with candelabras and champagne." Top 2005 tailgate game: West Point vs. Connecticut, Oct. 1. 845-938-4011; www.usma.edu

Notre Dame University South Bend, Ind.

"Tailgating can be challenging if you don't have a parking pass (scalped for as much as $200)," Hollingsworth says. "But it's not so much about food and fun here as walking the campus to 'feel' the ghosts of seasons past. Visit the Hesburgh Library (and its stained-glass 'Touchdown Jesus' mural), the Golden Dome and the Basilica of the Sacred Heart." Top 2005 tailgate game: Notre Dame vs. USC, Oct. 15. 574-631-5000; nd.edu

Ohio State UniversityColumbus

"Find a tailgate spot with a view of majestic Ohio Stadium," Hollingsworth says, "then attend Hineygate, a party that includes live music and big-screen TVs. Before kickoff, take in the Skull Session at St. John Arena, the best pre-game college pep rally, featuring OSU's marching band and the football team entering to a thunderous ovation." Top 2005 tailgate game: Ohio State vs. Texas, Sept. 10. 614-292-6446; www.osu.edu

Cotton Bowl Stadium Dallas

"The Red River Shootout (the rivalry between University of Texas and the University of Oklahoma) has been a fixture here, set against the backdrop of the Texas State Fair, since 1929," Hollingsworth says. "Big Tex, a giant denim-clad cowboy in size-70 boots, welcomes you to this tailgate/fair extravaganza. Game Day isn't complete without a 'corny' dog, available on the midway." Top 2005 tailgate game: Oklahoma vs. Texas, Oct. 8. 888-792-2695; cottonbowl.com

University of Tennessee Knoxville

"The friendliest fans in all of college football gather at beautiful Neyland Stadium, nestled in the Smoky Mountains overlooking the Tennessee River," Hollingsworth says. "Watch the 'Vol Walk' — first players, then fans led by the band, march to the stadium, a sea of orange. And should the Volunteers triumph, expect postgame tailgate invitations, many of which last long into the night." Top 2005 tailgate game: Tennessee vs. Georgia, Oct. 8. 865-974-1000; utk.edu